Shoe fastening mechanism

ABSTRACT

A shoe fastening device comprises an intermediary portion securable to the upper portion of tongue of shoe and supported by extendable members located on either flap of a shoe. Each extendable member has a longitudinal end secured to a flap of shoe and the other to intermediary portion and comprises at least two counter rotating elongate segments each secured to the other via a rotating joint where a said joint is located at either end of each segment. Extendable members extend and collapse in an accordion like fashion away from and towards instep when intermediary portion which is secured upper tongue portion respectively is elevated and lowered. Spring devices acting on the joints continually urge and keep the extendable members extended coincidentally keeping the intermediary portion and secured upper tongue in an elevated state where they remain unless directed downwards by an external force. The joint connecting two segments can be reestablished at different positions along the length of at least one of said segments causing forces effecting lateral displacement of flaps to be generated as intermediary portion is directed downwards incidentally effecting fastening of shoe. A lock and release mechanism serves to keep the intermediary portion in its lowered position until it is released and includes a flap lateral displacement accommodation means. The device can be used to automatically loosen the unfastened lacing of a shoe by urging upwards the segments of lacing traversing opposing flaps and can be combined to be used with another device such as a shoe fastening device.

BACKGROUND FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] This invention is related to the field of shoe securing andfastening devices, and pertains more particularly to a lace substitutefor conventional shoes constructed with dual flaps on opposing sides ofa tongue.

[0002] Many shoe lacing systems have been designed to provide a fasterand more convenient way of securing a shoe onto the foot. The vastmajority of these systems are “lace closure systems” which accomplishthis task in part by means of a lace or pliable fibre through whichtension is applied. Some examples not withstanding are U.S. Pat. Nos.5,353,483; 5,469,640; and 5,471,769. Problems inherent in lace closuresystems include unwanted tightening of knots caused by tension in lacesoccurring through everyday use of shoe, and weakening and eventualbreakage of lace at points where lace rubs against eyelets of shoe, andmay also be impractical or undesirable by persons with rheumatoidarthritis, or with weight problems, or injuries which make it difficultfor them to bend over for the period of time required to perform laceclosure.

[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 5,148,614 is designed to achieve relatively rapidfastening by non lace closure methods, but still requires somewhatmeticulous finger activity and pressure to adjust the strap and effectsecure fastening of flaps. U.S. Pat No. 4,999,899 uses a lever forcontiguous motion for closure which is an advantage but still employsuse of a lace as an integral means for the transferring of tension andthe consequent directing together of opposing flaps and fastening ofshoe. This intermediate process is totally eliminated in the presentinvention and thus eliminates the problems inherent with lace closuremethods as mentioned above.

[0004] The present invention attempts to overcome the above describeddeficiencies by describing a shoe fastening system which effects rapidfastening with contiguous motion and which can be constructed out arigid durable material such as plastic, composite material, or evenmetal.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide anew and improved shoe fastening device which effects rapid fastening ofshoe.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved shoe fastening device that is durable and reliable inconstruction and in particular more durable than conventional lacingsystems.

[0007] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a newand improved shoe fastening device which offers adjustable tensioning insuch a way so as to allow user to comfortable fasten shoe onto foot.

[0008] A further object of the invention is to provide a new andimproved shoe fastening device that allows fastening using gross motorhand activity.

[0009] Still yet another object of the invention is to provide a new andimproved shoe fastening device which can be easily and cost effectivelymanufactured.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the device incorporated onto ashoe.

[0011]FIGS. 2A and 2B are isometric views of the device with extendablemembers extended, and where FIG. 2A shows sections of intermediaryportion removed and FIG. 2B shows tongue and intermediary portionremoved.

[0012]FIGS. 3A and 3B are front views of the device showing extendablemembers in collapsed and extended states respectively.

[0013]FIG. 4 is a partial isometric view of an extended extendablemember with sections of uppermost bearing assemblage on lower counterrotating segment removed.

[0014]FIG. 5 is a partial isometric view showing a lock and releasemechanism located on side of device and with sections of catch membersthat overlap hook members removed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIRST EMBODIMENT

[0015] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2A a device incorporated onto ashoe comprises a intermediary portion 14 where 14 is fundamentally arectangular shaped planar member and orientated so that is planarsurfaces are parallel to the plane of the instep of the shoe and so thatit shares a longitudinal median with shoe. Secured to the undersurfaceof 14 each via a respective connecting portion 16 are two axles 18 a and18 b indicated in FIG. 3B that are laterally spaced apart and parallelto the said longitudinal median. Supporting 14 and connecting it to theshoe are extendable members each comprising two counter rotatingsegments, an upper 20, and a lower 22, FIG. 2A, that are hingedtogether. A pair of similarly orientated extendable members are securedonto either flap of a shoe. FIG. 2B gives an unobstructed view of thefour extended extendable members. Both segments 20 and 22 arefundamentally planar elongate members that can rotate towards or awayfrom each other collapsing or extending respectively their respectiveextendable member. As should be understood by viewing FIGS. 2A and3B,similarly located ends 20 a of upper segments 20 located on the sameside of shoe are rotatably secured to the same axle being either 18 a or18 b. This enables the upper segments 20 to rotate towards and away fromundersurface of intermediary portion as that portion is lowered orraised respectively. Located on the other end 20 b of each upper segment20 is an axle 24, FIGS. 3B and 4, parallel to the longitudinal medianand which has two journalling ends 24 a and 24 b that laterally projectout from either side of its respective segment 20. Referring to FIG. 3Beach axle 24 is securable to any of three bearing assemblages 26 a, 26b, and 26 c located on a planar surface of a respective lower segment 22closer to end 22 a of that respective lower segment. The figures onlyshow the axles 24 of the upper segments 20 secured to their respectivelower segment at bearing assemblage 26 a. Each of the bearingassemblages 26 a, 26 b, and 26 c comprises a pair of bearing supports 28seen in FIG. 4 that are laterally spaced apart from each other and eachdefining a slot 28 a through which a respective end 24 a or 24 b of axle24 passes through coming to rest in a recess 28 b by snapped engagement.With each end of the axle journalled to a respective bearing 28 theaxle's respective upper segment 20 can rotate towards and away from thelower 22 and thus the upper and lower segments are hinged together. Anaxle 24 can be disengaged from any of the bearing assemblages 26 a, 26b, or 26 c by pulling its ends 24 a and 24 b out of and through each'srespective bearing recess 28 b and slot 28 a respectively resulting in asnapped disengagement of axle and bearing assemblage and thus respectivesegments. As seen in Fig.3B and 2A the other ends 22 b of the lowersegments that are not hinged to an upper segment are each rotatablysecured to elongate mounts 30 and 31 via a respective bearingassemblage, each said assemblage comprising two bearings 32 a and 32 blocated on said mounts and where ends 22 b of any two lower segments 22located on the same side of shoe are secured to the same mount 30 or 31.Any two bearing assemblages located on the same mount are coaxial andsince the extendable members are identical, and for the device to workproperly all axles 24 should each be secured to a bearing assemblageoccupying the same position on its lower segment as all of the others doon their respective lower segments. To change the operational length ofthe lower segment 20, where for purposes used in this disclosure theoperational length of either segment is defined as the length of thatsegment between the axis of 24 and the other axis of rotation located onthat segment, which for the lower segment is the length between axis of24 and that defined by bearings 32 a and 32 b, the bearing assemblage 26a, or 26 b, or 26 c on which a respective upper segment is rotatablysecured must also be changed. Using the above definition of theoperational length of a segment it should clearly be seen that theoperational length of the upper segment 20 is effectively its entirelength.

[0016] As seen in FIG.3B located at either end of each extendable memberis a U-spring 34 and 35. Each U-spring 34 located at the ends of theextendable members that are secured to14 has a portion 34 a pressingagainst undersurface of 14 and another portion 34 b pressing against asurface of a respective upper segment 20 thereby urging rotation ofupper segment away from undersurface of 14 into a downwardly rotatedposition. Likewise the U-springs 35 located at the ends of theextendable members that are secured to mounts each has a portion 35 apressing against a surface 38 of its respective mount and anotherportion 35 b pressing against surface of a respective lower portionurging the lower segments to rotate upwards away from the plane of theinstep of shoe. As a consequence of the urging forces generated by theU-springs the extendable members become extended as seen in FIGS.2A,2B,and 3B thus elevating 14 away from the plane of the instep inwhich state it remains unless a force overcoming the cumulative forcesof the U-springs directs 14 downwards. It should be noted that eventhough U-springs located at the ends of the extendable members are usedin this embodiment to induce the extended state of said members, anymeans that can be used to induce extension of the extendable memberswithout hindering normal operation of the device including any otherkind of spring devices such as coils acting on any of the joints in anycombination where said joints include the joints where the counterrotating segments 20 and 22 are hinged to each other can be used.Located on the end of 14 towards the back of the shoe is a hook element36 insertable into a slit 37 made in the tongue of shoe thus securingthe upper portion of the tongue to the back end of 14, FIGS.1 and 2A.When intermediary portion 14 is elevated so is the upper portion of thesecured tongue causing the tongue to rotate upward and if 14 is directeddownwards towards the plane of the instep so does the upper portion oftongue causing tongue to rotate downward.

[0017] If 14 is directed downwards to the position shown in FIG. 3A theextendable members collapse in unison in an accordion like fashion andthe lower counter rotating segments 22 rotate towards the plane of theinstep of shoe above the upper surface of tongue where each occupiessome floorspace. To avoid lower segments located on opposing sides ofthe shoe coming into conflict with each other by vying for the samefloorspace or a portion thereof as they collapse, no two extendablemembers located on opposing sides of the shoe are situated directlyacross from each other as seen in FIG. 2B, but rather each extendablemember occupies a separate nonoverlapping longitudinal position alongthe longitudinal axis of the shoe with extendable members on an opposingsides occupying succeeding positions so that when collapsed theextendable members on opposing sides of the shoe occupy succeedingpositions in the plane of the instep above the tongue and along thelongitudinal axis of the shoe.

[0018] Incorporated into this embodiment is a lock and release mechanismwhich serves to keep intermediary portion in the lowered position ofFIG. 3A until it is intentionally released to be automatically directedupwards by the forces generated by the U-springs 34 and 35. Located oneither side of the intermediary portion and laterally spaced apart are apair of hook elements 40, seen in FIGS.3A and 5, each having an uppersurface 40 a parallel to the plane of the instep of shoe and whichprojects out from its respective side of intermediary portion. Withreference to FIGS.2A and 2B, mounts 30 and 31 are elongated members eachsteadfastly secured to an opposing flap of shoe and both parallel to thelongitudinal axis of shoe. Located in either mount 30 and 31respectively are uniform elongate slots 42 a and 43 a each which leadinto and form part of uniform elongated passages 42 and 43 respectivelyas well. Elongate passages 42 and 43 are also parallel to thelongitudinal axis of shoe and in each are located uniform elongatelongitudinally slidable members 44 and 45 each confined to longitudinalsliding movement along its respective passage. Located on a top edge ofeach 44 and 45 that projects out of its respective elongated slot arecatch elements 46 each defining a planar undersurface 46a as indicatedin FIG. 3B parallel to plane of instep and projecting from the said topedge of its respective slidable member towards the longitudinal medianof shoe. Each end of a longitudinally extendable and retractableelongate bridge member 48 seen in FIG.2B where said member 48 isperpendicularly orientated to longitudinal median of shoe is secured toan opposing front end of 44 and 45 thereby indirectly connecting 44 and45. This connection however ensures that any longitudinal displacementexperienced by 44 is experienced in unison by 45. Bridge member 48comprises two longitudinally slidable portions 48 a and 48 b thatslidably adjust to accommodate any lateral displacement of the flaps andconsequently 44 and 45 which may occur when shoe is fastened or loosenedrespectively. Both 44 and 45 maintain set but loosely kept restpositions in their respective passages via a U-spring 50, indicated inFIG. 5 and seen in FIGS. 2A and 2B. U-spring 20 has an end 50 a securedto mount 30 and the another end 50 b secured to slidable member 44. Afinger operated portion 52 projects perpendicularly from the side of 44and when directed back results in the sliding back in unison of bothslidable members 44 and 45 which causes the U-spring 50 to deform seenin FIGS. 2A and 2B.

DESCRIPTION OF OPERATION

[0019] For fastening to occur the operational length of 22 when flapsand elongate mounts 30 and 31 are in their loose unfastened state mustbe less than that of 20. Thus axles 24 of all the upper rotatingsegments are secured to similarly located bearing assemblages 26 a, or26 b, or 26 c to effect this condition.

[0020] Starting with intermediary portion14 in the elevated position asseen in FIG. 3B and with slidable members 44 and 45 in their restposition, 14 is directed downwards to ultimately acquire the positionseen in FIG. 3A. As this occurs the extendable members collapse inunison in an accordion like fashion. As extendable members collapsetheir respective counter rotating members change from a primarilyvertical orientation to a primarily horizontal one, and the ends 20 b ofupper rotating segments 20 rotate towards the undersurface of 14 whilethe lower counter rotating segments 22 simultaneously rotate towards theplane of the instep of shoe. Also as this is occurring the upperrotating segments 20 pull or direct their respective lower rotatingsegments 22 at the points of securement which is either 26 a, or 26 b,or 26 c towards the opposing side of the shoe to which the extendablemember they form is secured. As this occurs the opposing flaps of theshoe to which the lower rotating segments are secured are directedtowards each other effecting fastening. Eventually as 14 is directeddownwards each of the hook elements 40 located on 14 comes into contactwith and snaps downward past a respective and resilient catch element 46which instantaneously bends and snaps back to its original shape therebyallowing downward passage of the hook element. Once the hook elementsare located below their respective catch elements they are preventedfrom moving upwards since a portion of undersurface 46 a, shown asremoved sections in FIG. 5, of each catch element overlaps and engages aportion of upper surface 40 a of a respective hook element consequentlyobstructing upward movement of hook elements 40 and consequentlyintermediary portion 14 to which they are secured. Furthermore catchelements do not bend to allow upward passage of hook elements. Upondirecting the finger operative portion 52 towards back of shoe theslidable members and catch elements located thereupon are simultaneouslydirected back and upon being directed back far enough the undersurfaces40 a of the catch elements no longer overlap to engage portions of uppersurfaces 46 a of respective hook elements thus 14 is released bedirected upwards, and is.

[0021] For a user who when employing use of the device still prefers tohave the his or her shoe laced, even though superfluous, can use thedevice as a means to automatically loosen laces which are untied byhaving the intermediary portion push up on the segments of lacing thattraverse from one flap to the other. This occurs assuming the frictionalforces generated by lacing which is in contact with the eyelets and theweight of the shoe tongue secured to intermediary portion are negligibleor at least significantly less that the cumulative force generated bythe U-springs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0022] A fastening device comprises a intermediary portion securable tothe top end of tongue of shoe and supported by extendable members whichelevate the intermediary portion when extended and lower it when folded.A spring means however continually urges and keeps the extendablemembers extended and consequently keeps the intermediary portion andsecured top portion of tongue elevated unless an external force directsthe intermediary portion downwards.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fastening device comprising an elongatedintermediary portion defining a fundamentally planar undersurface, andextendable members each comprising elongated counter rotating segmentsand where said members define ends rotatably secured to said portion andothers rotatably secured to mounts.
 2. The device of claim 1 where saidcounter rotating segments number two and where each segment is connectedto its respective other via a joint permitting both to rotate in a planeperpendicular to a longitudinal median defined through said portion. 3.The device of claim 2 where position of said joint along the length ofeither of respective said segments is variable.
 4. The device of claim 1having a lock and release means.
 5. The device of claim 1 having a meansto accommodate lateral displacement of said mounts on opposing sides ofa longitudinal median defined through said portion.
 6. The device ofclaim 1 having a means to continually urge extendable members into anextended state.